TAIL INJURIES

TAIL INJURIES Causes & Care

A happy, wagging tail is a sight that always brings a smile to your face. It lets you know that your pup is happy and excited to see you again. In itself, it is the ultimate communicator of your dog’s emotions. So, it is concerning when your dog seems to have difficulty wagging his tail or wincing in pain when you touch it. Since we don’t have tails, it can be difficult to understand what may have happened or what we can do to help.

There are actually many things that can happen to your pet’s tail that can cause them pain. Since tails are essentially an extension of the spine, they too are made up of vertebrae that get progressively smaller as the tail narrows. Unfortunately, while their tail is considerably mobile and flexible, it is also defenseless against objects and predicaments that may cause it injury. Comprised of small joints, discs, blood vessels, muscles and nerves, the tail tends to be injury-prone because it is an unprotected, frequently moving body part. Tails are always susceptible to being stepped on, shut in a door, or just a casualty of vigorous horseplay. It’s no wonder that tails can sustain an occasional injury. Dogs are more prone to tail injuries than cats, but it is not uncommon for your kitty to harm her tail as well. While many of these injuries simply take time to heal, some more serious injuries may require the assistance of a veterinarian. Recognizing the severity of your pet’s tail injury can be helpful in determining the best plan of action for recovery.

One common injury that dogs can sustain is caused by them wagging their tail too much and too hard. In their excited state, they can end up straining the muscles in their tail or banging it into a variety of hard objects. This Happy Tail Syndrome can result in a very unhappy pup with a painful tail. If you notice any cuts or gashes on the tail, a trip to the veterinarian may be necessary to have the tail bandaged or even sutured to minimize the chance of infection. Bandaging the tail can help it heal and help prevent further injury. If there are no noticeable abrasions, then your dog may have just badly bruised his tail. Like most bruises, it should heal on its own in a few days. Another type of tail injury is known as Limber Tail Syndrome. If you notice that your dog isn’t carrying his tail normally and it appears to look limp, this syndrome may be to blame. This very painful condition often occurs following strenuous swimming or other physically taxing activities. The onset of this condition is very sudden. Your dog may wince in pain if you try to stroke their tail or touch it near the base. Unless you observed some kind of trauma to their tail, it is most likely that your dog has sprained the muscles or strained the ligaments and tendons in their tail. Thankfully, this type of injury typically heals on its own in a few days. Try to avoid any strenuous dog activities during this time to promote the healing process.

Perhaps the most alarming tail injury is an actual fracture. Trauma is almost always the cause of this type of injury. Let’s face it, our cats and dogs have a bad habit of leaving their tails in some very dangerous places! It can be so easy for us to accidently step on them or shut them in a door.

Luckily, a simple fracture at the end of the tail will usually heal on its own without the need for surgery or a cast. Your pet will likely end up with a noticeable bump or kink in their tail, which will be sensitive until it fully heals. All in all, it is typically not a serious, debilitating injury.

Unfortunately, tails are susceptible to all kinds of injuries. They always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. With a little care and observation, you will be able to determine the type of injury and how to care for it. Whenever in doubt, consult with your veterinarian for an expert medical opinion.

January is ADOPT A RESCUED BIRD MONTH

On January 3, 2002, the ASPCA proclaimed January as Adopt Rescued Bird Month urging Americans to “Let A Rescued Bird Fly into Your Home and Capture your Heart!” The goal of the monthly theme is to spread awareness about the need for bird adoption and to educate prospective bird parents.

Birds are wonderful pets that provide comfort, companionship and entertainment. Birds have become very popular pets. Many people, however, do not understand the amount of love and attention required to care for a pet bird responsibly. It is estimated that approximately 85% of birds purchased are rehomed or abandoned within the first two years of ownership.

The vast variety of breeds, sizes, colors and temperaments offer a fantastic selection of pet birds. It is so important to do research before selecting a pet bird. Find out what breed best matches your lifestyle to help create a meaningful and lasting relationship with your bird.

For starters, two important considerations are space and lifespan.

Do you have sufficient space to keep a bird? Though they don’t require an abundance of space it is important to provide your bird with a cage large enough for it to stretch its wings. It is ideal to have a room you can safely close off where your bird can fly freely from time to time.

Another important consideration is the lifespan of birds. For example, parakeets are very popular birds and their average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. On the upper end of the lifespan are African Greys; they typically live 50-70 years. Parrots can live well over 75 years. Are you willing to make a lifetime commitment to your feathered family member?

Are you willing to have a rescued bird fly into your home and capture your heart?

➠ SouthWest Exotic Avian Rescue

www.swearlv.org

➠ Southern Nevada Parrot Rescue

www.snperrs.org